Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, European Security and the German Question, Volume III, Part 1

740.5/8–251

The Acting Secretary of Defense (Lovett) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Washington, August 2, 1951.

Dear Mr. Secretary: I refer to my letter of 24 February 1951,¹ concerning the North Atlantic Treaty reorganization. Since the reorganization, I have considered what additional action is desirable to give effect to the new status of the North Atlantic Council. I have come to the conclusion that there should be three actions: first, to amend the Terms of Reference for the Deputy United States Representative, North Atlantic Council, as approved by the President on 16 December 1950,² to provide for his representation of the Secretary of Defense; second, to proceed with our agreement for the provision to the Deputy United States Representative of a representative of the Department of Defense with a small staff; third, to reach an understanding as to the duties of the Department of Defense representative.

The close relations between our two Departments have been satisfactory to us in dealing with NATO affairs. I believe that the arrangements should continue in their present pattern, but with an even closer tie-in to ensure harmony in United States actions in NATO, particularly between the Standing Group and the Council Deputies. The advent of the International Security Affairs Committee expands and strengthens the inter-departmental relationships in NATO affairs for the review and coordination of policy and programs. I consider that the specific responsibilities of our respective Departments for NATO operational details require continuing efforts to perfect our relationship in addition to the International Security Affairs Committee. I believe that the various directives and charters concerned with these matters should be reviewed from time to time for this purpose.

I wish to point out that while the Department of Defense representative furnished the United States Deputy, North Atlantic Council, would be a fully assigned member of his personal staff, it is considered that in order for him to be effective in his function of advising and assisting the United States Deputy in politico-military matters, he must be responsible to the Secretary of Defense. I believe this to be consistent with the new responsibilities of the United States Deputy in Defense matters and that harmonious relationship can be developed.

I believe it would be fitting that this individual should be accorded the stature of Vice Deputy United States Representative, North Atlantic Council, for Defense matters, provided a Vice Deputy were appointed also for political affairs. We regard the appointment as a matter of importance and believe it should carry the grade of Major General or the equivalent if the post is filled by a military officer, and the rank of Minister, if filled by a civilian. We do not wish to stipulate whether the person selected be military or civilian, since any selection would be made on a personal basis.

I enclose herewith draft papers dealing in detail with my conclusions in paragraph one, above.³ If you are in general agreement with them I propose an early meeting in order to conclude the necessary arrangements leading to the appointment.

With kindest personal regards, I am

Very sincerely yours

Robert A. Lovett

Enclosure “A”

Draft: Proposed Changes to Terms of Reference for Deputy United States Representative, North Atlantic Council as Approved by the President, December 16, 1950

Page 1:

Paragraph 2b, line 2, insert the word “a” between the words “as” and “United.”

Insert a new paragraph 2c, as follows:

“Advise and assist the Secretary of Defense in the performance of the latter’s duties as a United States member of the North Atlantic Council and as necessary advise and assist such other United States representatives as may be attending sessions of the North Atlantic Council.”

Renumber the present paragraphs 2c and 2d to read “2d” and “2e” respectively.

Paragraph 3, add the following as a continuation of the first sentence and an additional second sentence:

“as pertains to policies and actions which are the responsibilities of the Department of State and/or government as a whole. Those coordinated instructions pertaining to Department of Defense responsibilities shall be transmitted through the Secretary of Defense.”

Page 2:

Paragraph 5a, line 2, insert the following: “, the Department of Defense” between the words “State” and “or.”

Paragraph 8, line 3, insert between the first and second sentences the following sentence:

“He shall also keep the Secretary of Defense informed on those specific activities which are of particular concern to that Department.”

Terms of Reference for Deputy United States Representative, North Atlantic Council

1. The United States Representative to the North Atlantic Council of Deputies shall have the title “Deputy United States Representative, North Atlantic Council” (hereinafter referred to as United States Deputy). He shall have the personal rank of Ambassador.

2. The United States Deputy shall have the following functions:

a. represent the United States Government in the work of the North Atlantic Council of Deputies;

b. advise and assist the Secretary of State in the performance of the latter’s duties as United States member of the North Atlantic Council and senior United States representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization;

c. serve as the senior United States representative for Mutual Defense Assistance in Europe, and as the State Department member and chairman of the European Coordinating Committee (ECC); and

d. in conformance with Washington policy guidance assure political economic-military coordination as among U.S. representatives to NATO stationed overseas in NAT planning and negotiations, and provide coordinated advice to Washington on policy matters as directed.

3. The United States Deputy shall receive coordinated instructions from the United States Government through the Secretary of State.

4. The United States Deputy shall normally communicate with the other NATO Governments through their respective Deputies. He may, however, as appropriate, communicate directly with other NAT Governments at the ministerial level provided that in so doing he shall:

a. fully inform the Secretary of State, and other interested agencies through the Secretary of State, of any major policy aspects contained in such direct communications;

b. make such communications with the knowledge of or through the United States Ambassadors to the countries concerned.

5. The headquarters of the United States Deputy shall be in London. The staff of the United States Deputy shall consist of:

a. individuals permanently assigned to the office of the United States Deputy by the Department of State or other United States agencies;

b. individuals assigned at the request of or with the consent of the U.S. Deputy to perform the work for him as long as they are performing such work;

c. individuals assigned by the Secretary of State as advisers or as members of U.S. delegations to NAT bodies meeting in Europe; and

d. the Executive Director of ECC and his staff.

6. a. The United States Deputy shall be ex officio an advisory member of United States delegations to all NAT bodies, and he shall receive from such delegations full and current information as to their activities, exclusive of detailed military planning.

b. The advice and assistance of the Office of Special Representative of the Economic Cooperation Administration and other non-military overseas U.S. officers and staffs engaged in NAT planning and operations, and including military production staffs, shall be made available to the United States Deputy.

c. The policies and views of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff on pertinent military matters and also military advice and assistance when requested by the United States Deputy in discharge of his duties, shall be provided by the Joint Chiefs of Staff Representatives in Europe.

7. The United States Deputy shall be a member of the European Representatives Group (EURREG); he shall consult frequently with the United States Ambassadors to the other North Atlantic Treaty countries.

8. The United States Deputy shall report his activities currently to the Secretary of State and through him to such other United States agencies as may be appropriate. In addition he shall take measures to insure the furnishing of such information on activities of the NAT and MDAP, exclusive of war planning, as is in his possession to United States representatives on other NAT bodies and to the United States Ambassadors in NAT countries.

9. The United States Deputy, as Chairman of the Council of Deputies, may contribute the members of his staff or may arrange for the contribution of other available U.S. personnel for service on any international staff created by or authorized to act on behalf of the Council Deputies.

Harry Truman

Approved: December 16, 1950.

1. The text is printed in telegram Todep 272 to London, February 26, p. 65.
2. The 1950 terms of reference are printed together with Lovett’s proposed changes in them as enclosure “A” of this August 2 memorandum.
3. Enclosures “B” and “C” are not printed. The former consisted of an unsigned and undated draft entitled “Administrative Arrangements for the Department of Defense Representative to the Deputy United States Representative, North Atlantic Council” and a memorandum dated February 8, 1950, on the subject of “Budgeting for North Atlantic Treaty Activities,” by W. J. McNeil, Assistant Secretary of Defense (Comptroller). The memorandum was addressed to the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Administrative and Public Affairs). Enclosure “C” was an unsigned and undated draft entitled “An Understanding of the Duties of the Department of Defense Representative to the Deputy United States Representative, North Atlantic Council.”